Screen printing, which is otherwise called as silk printing is a technique that is particularly suitable for stamping in flat surfaces. The core of the process involves a screen or fine mesh that is firmly stretched around a rigid frame. In the process of stamping under this method, the areas where the printing should not be present are covered out on the screen and a framed screen is placed over the items that has to be printed, along with a squirt of thick ink. Then, for pressing the ink through the surface a squeegee is used.

The covered area prevents the ink from passing through, but the uncovered area permits the ink to be pressed on the material. Then, for ensuring that the content dries out, the material is passed through the conveyor belt on a heat tunnel. When this drying process of properly done, the content will remain on the material even when it is harshly handled.

If more colors are to be created on the final design, the process is repeated with different screens under this method. This means that if a design needs four different colors, four varied screens are used. In general, the materials are placed on the rotary press that permit the different colors stamped to be aligned properly. Some machines used for screen printing are fully automatic in nature. This means that the process does not need any manual labor, other than for setting up, loading and unloading.

When talking about masking of screen, different methods are followed. The most popularly used method is application of masking fluid directly onto the surface. Even though, this method will be suitable for simple single or double colors, it will not be effective in more complex prints. For this type of multiple task, the photosensitive emulsion technique is used. Under this method, the design is initially created on a clear piece of plastic film and then a photosensitive coating is applied to the whole surface of the screen and it is let out to dry.

The screen printing technique is generally used for embossing on fabrics, garments and t-shirts. Even, it is used in materials like metal to plastic. This method can be highly suitable for graphic and bold designs, even though, intricate and smaller details can be captured to perfection.

There are companies dealing with different machines for printing right from pad printer to automatic vision printing machines. The pad printer can be useful in plastic products, ceramic glazes, metal surface, electronic products, etc…